Gary Neville: United & Arsenal need to improve to match the greatness of classic sides

As well as looking ahead to the big 4pm kick-off on Sunday, Neville answered questions about the wider context of the league right now.

Speaking about Man City following their humiliation at White Hart Lane last weekend, Neville said “it doesn’t take much for the gremlins to appear” at the club – with a couple of key players missing, they look a far less convincing proposition. However, he reckons they’ll go on to claim the title if they can stay injury-free.

Asked whether Liverpool and Everton stood any chance of winning the league, Neville was clearly bemused by the suggestion. For him, Chelsea, United, Arsenal and City will be the top four teams in some order again.

On what to expect from the two big matches on Sunday, Neville was in no doubt that “the games will be enthralling” but admitted “maybe it’s not the highest quality.” He continued:

“We’re not at that point where we’re watching the classic United / Arsenal – we’re not watching great sides. They’re still improving.”

Neville was then asked what he would say if he was giving the team talk to Arsenal on Sunday. He resisted the temptation to takes the piss, and offered some genuine insight:

“Don’t leave Mertesacker exposed to Martial… Bellerin needs to tuck in tight… Don’t let Mata cut in onto his left foot… How do you expose Daley Blind in that right channel?”

It would be “all around the fine details, not “rah rah rah, get stuck into them”,” Neville added.

As for United, Neville’s had this advice:

“Stay compact, stay tight, don’t let Walcott run in behind, get to Cazorla, close Ozil down, and eventually arsenal will concede a goal from a set piece or on the counter-attack because they’ll become too flimsy with their shape.”

Finally, Neville was asked if we’re going to see the title-winners on Sunday?

“I hope so. If it wasn’t going to be United, I would want it to be Arsenal. But I fear it will be neither.”